Rh incompatibility

Injury	Disease	Nutrition	Poison

Symptoms	Surgery	Test	Special Topic

Erythroblastosis fetalis, photomicrograph

Jaundice infant

Antibodies

Exchange transfusion - series

Rh incompatibility

Alternative Names:

Rh-induced hemolytic disease of the newborn; Hydrops fetalis
Treatment:

Since Rh incompatibility is almost completely preventable with the use of RhoGAM, prevention remains the best treatment. Treatment of the already affected infant depends on the severity of the condition.

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Mild:

Aggressive hydration
Phototherapy using bilirubin lights

Hydrops fetalis:

Amniocentesis to determine severity
Intrauterine fetal transfusion
Early induction of labor
A direct transfusion of packed red blood cells (compatible with the infant's blood) and also exchange transfusion of the newborn to rid the blood of the maternal antibodies that are destroying the red blood cells
Control of congestive failure and fluid retention

Kernicterus:

Exchange transfusion (may require multiple exchanges)
Phototherapy

Expectations (prognosis):

Full recovery is expected for mild Rh incompatibility. Both hydrops fetalis and kernicterus represent extreme conditions caused by hemolysis. Both have guarded outcomes. Hydrops fetalis has a high mortality rate.

Complications:

Possible complications include neurological syndrome with mental deficiency, movement disorder, hearing loss, speech disorder, and seizures.

Calling your health care provider:

Call your health care provider if you think or know you are pregnant and have not yet seen a doctor.